Raspberry Leaf Tea for a Better Pregnancy

Did you know that raspberry leaf can help improve the pace of your labour, strengthen your uterine muscles, and improve your immune system during pregnancy?

It may even boost your breast milk supply!

Indigenous communities in Australia have known this for a thousand years. Red raspberry, which is native to Eastern Australia, can be made into an herbal tea using its leaves, and several studies show its effects in pregnancy.

How does raspberry leaf tea work? According to WebMD.com, red raspberry contains antioxidants that relax the blood vessels. Aside from this, these antioxidants also affect the muscles, which can be the reason why it is said to ease labour and delivery.

General Effects of Raspberry Leaf Tea

It is said that people taking raspberry leaf tea may experience the following effects:

• Cure flu*
• Relieve diarrhoea*
• Reduce acne*
• Lower blood sugar*
• Regulate irregular menstrual cycles*
• Regulate heavy periods*
• Lower blood pressure*
• Improve fertility for both sexes**
• Soothe sore throat**
• Relieve premenstrual cramps**
• Cure other gastrointestinal disorders**

Source*, Source**

Effects of Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy

Aside from the general health benefits mentioned above, raspberry leaf tea is also said to have a lot of benefits when taken by pregnant women. These are some of the effects of raspberry leaf tea in pregnancy:

• Improve labour

  • There have been some studies proving that drinking raspberry leaf tea may reduce the need for medical intervention during labour. It has also been shown that the regular intake of red raspberry leaf tea may shorten the time of labour itself.

• Boost immune system

  • Red raspberry is a good source of Vitamins C, A, and E; thus, it is chock-full of antioxidants that boost immunity. People who are not pregnant can also take red raspberry leaf tea for a better immune system.

• Increase milk supply

  • Finally, red raspberry leaf tea is also considered a galactogogue, which means it can be taken to boost a mother’s breast milk supply. (Source)

Next Page: Risks and Restrictions

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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